All aboard for Union Pacific's Operation Lifesaver program that was taught in hopes of avoiding rail deaths and accidents.

UP representatives gathered local law enforcement agencies Thursday for an annual training session about train safety.

This year the class was more interactive as members of the New Mexico State Police, New Mexico Motor Transportation Police, Alamogordo Department of Public Safety's police and fire services divisions boarded a UP train to get a better understanding of railroad procedures.

"It was an exciting experience. You don't realize the capacity the trains have and the speed they travel at until you're on one," Fire Operations Manager Jerry Ramirez said.

Through the presentations, local law enforcement personnel were able to ask questions and learn more about how to keep the city's railroads safer.

Operation Lifesaver presenter Terry Givens informed local law enforcement officers that it can take a mile or more for a train to stop in case of an emergency.

"A train can't stop quickly due to its size and it can't swerve," Givens said. "Pedestrians and drivers, on the other hand, can."

During the presentation, Givens explained why locomotive engineers sound the horn as they pass by. Train engineers will sound the horn with two long blows, one short blast and one final long sounding horn as they pass through a crossing to warn drivers and pedestrians that they are passing through a crossing.

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Even in a quiet zone an engineer has the authority to sound the horn if he thinks there is imminent danger of a vehicle or person near or on a railroad track.

Mel Slade, a UP locomotive engineer, said there are sensors in the tracks that alert them to an upcoming crossing.

"If we need to stop we get a flashing yellow signal, then a yellow signal and lastly a red light," Slade said. "When we see a yellow light that means we are going to stop in two miles."

Givens explained Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit safety education program that was launched in 1972. The company has informative programs for children in prekindergarten all the way to grade 12.

Givens also said that classes are often taught to professional drivers, bus drivers and first responders. He explained that in the U.S. there is an average of one train versus person or train versus vehicle incident every three hours.

"We try to educate and reach as many people as possible with train safety information," Givens said. "We teach people to look, listen and live."

Joseph Rummel, manager of road operations for UP, said he appreciates how responsive local authorities in Otero County have been in regard to taking safety courses and enforcing train safety with the public.

"Our company is committed to educating the public about train safety through many outreach programs," Rummel said. "Teaching local authorities is one of the best ways we can reach out to the public."

Terrell J. Terrell, manager of track maintenance, said trespassers are one of the main issues when dealing with train safety.

"We ask them to leave the property," Terrell said. "They can be ticketed, not by me, but by the local police."

People caught trespassing will be given a stern warning on how dangerous trains can be and repeat offenders can be cited and fined.

"We have very good rapport with our law enforcement officers in the area," Rummel said. "They will issues citation if they see trespassers."

After riding a train, an officer from each division agreed that it had been a really great learning experience. For some it was their first train ride.

"I've never ridden a train before," ADPS officer James Watts said. "Getting to sit where the conductor sits was interesting."

"I think everybody should be able to get this type of experience," Ramirez said. "I think it would an eye-opener for people."

"It was definitely a good thing to do. It's something I was glad to participate in and I hope they have this kind of program more often," New Mexico State Police Sgt. Kenneth Johnson said.

Leo Marquez, senior special agent of the Union Pacific Railroad police, said protecting railways is a team effort.

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